Batman: The Animated Series

"Batman" takes a globe-trotting diversion from Gotham in an episode that serves as a sequel to "Night of the Ninja." I think this is the better of the two episodes, largely because of the change in scenery and the climax set atop a soon-to-be-active volcano.



Kyodai Ken is the best kind of Bat-bad guy. He's more than a physical match for the Dark Knight (most of the Rogues Gallery can't take him punch for punch) and he knows that Batman and Bruce Wayne are one in the same. And, like other Bat-villains, he is motivated by revenge. This episode is a bit more action-packed than some of the others and gets surprisingly dark with the "death touch" being introduced into the story. But it also shows why Batman ultimately triumphs - it's his brain that makes him such a threat to the underworld moreso than his brawn. After all, he is a detective first and foremost, and it's his sleuthing in the dojo that enables him to fend off the "death touch."



A solid effort all around and a good bookend to "Night of the Ninja."